I'm looking for a used 308 for an inexpensive "shop" rifle. It seems that both of the rifles listed can be purchased used (sometimes with a inexpensive scope) for around $300. For those that have used either or both, is there any notable differences between the two as to reliability and general accuracy?

Thanks.

I own 2 RAR Predators, a 204 and a 6.5 Creed, and like them both. I haven't shot the Creed yet, but the 204 shot under-MOA out of the box with both 32 and 40 grain Hornady VMax factory ammo.

I don't own and will never own a Savage Axis, as I strongly dislike the pistol grip geometry and the over-all feel of the rifle.

If you want an inexpensive 308, you might look at the discontinued Marlin XS7. I really like the Marlin X guns and was sorry to see that Freedom Group had Marlin discontinued them in favor of the Remington 783.

EDIT: Another thing about the Marlin X guns that may work for you is that they use Savage 110 series barrel specs, so you can, in most cases, screw the Savage barrels on, set the headspace via the barrel nut, and go shooting.

+1 on the Marlin X guns. Some of those shoot very very well!

The Marlins, to my eye anyway, are easily the best looking of the three, and IIRC, have a fixed magazine. That is a big plus in my book, as the plastic detachables look really cheap.

I think that both the Ruger and Savage will be reliable, accurate, and meet your purpose. So I'd go with whichever fits you best and feels right in your hands.

what is a savage axis II compared to the original axis?

POS+p

so I shouldn't trade the NIB Ruger American LH 223 I just got at 3 bills for an AxisII?

logger,

The biggest difference I've seen between the Ruger Americans and Savage rifles is the smoothness of the bores. Savages often (usually?) have fairly rough bores, and while they'll usually shoot well can foul like crazy. Consequently I generally apply Dyna Bore Coat before shooting one.

Ruger makes some of the best factory barrels available on U.S. rifles today. The bores are quite smooth and they rarely foul. My American .308 is typical. I shot it over 150 times without cleaning right out of the box, and at the end of that string it was capable of hitting gongs at 1000 yards. When I finally did clean it there was almost no copper-fouling.

Hell no!

John,

Do you know why Ruger put such a short, 18"(?), barrel on the RAR Predators in 308? The other cartridge options all have 22" barrels and all of the barrels are threaded for a suppressor, which is a trend that I don't understand.

I bought a Ruger American in .243 for my grandson and a .30-06 for my son. I have just shot the .243 a few shots, enough to sight it in, but it shot right at MOA on a not nice day. The .30-06 is a real shooter, loaded six each of Big Game, H4350, and H414 with 168 Nosler match bullets for a practice load, so shot six three shot groups at 100, with no load development, three of the six three shot groups were one-holers, none were over an inch. Two three shot groups with the H4350 were .35 or less, this with a 2-7x Nikon Monarch. I've lightened the triggers up to 2.5 pounds to make them a bit easier to shoot offhand, and they'll make fine budget hunting rifles, hell if they shoot like that, they'll make fine rifles for any price. No, they don't have the style of one of my 1950's FN customs, but they will sure put some game in the dirt.

Thanks for all of the input. I'm leaning towards the Ruger, but wanted to check other options. The reading I've done on the Marlin indicates that it is no longer produced and there have been some reliability issues (which may actually be true of all budget hunting rifles). I haven't handled a Savage, but will. I won't carry this rifle far, as it will be a rifle that sits in our lower shop. It purpose would be to take a shot at a coyote, deer, elk or bear that wanders by (in season, of course). And to take it on a short hike on the lower acreage when I get tired of working in the shop.

I have several Marlin X guns and have shot several other, but have never heard of any reliability issues. Where did you read that? I'd like to read it myself.

I did a search on Google for the Marlin X7 type of rifles and found several discussions about double feeding issues and extractor issues. I do realize that all such sites tend to focus on the negatives, while the many that have positive experiences rarely comment. It would be nice to have a rifle that is currently being produced and likely will be produced in the future.

Steelhead and I have posted numerous times on here about examples we had with ejectors so weak they wouldn't clear an empty case.

Interesting. You posted numerous times about the same rifles or multiple rifles?

I don't recall that happening to me, either on my nine or another dozen or so that I've shot. Of course, now that they have been discontinued, there won't be any more of them coming into the market.

Separate rifles, one owned by Steelhead and one by me. We've posted multiple times about those two rifles. Coincidentally, they were both in 25-06.

Interesting.

My XL7 in 25-06 seems to extract and eject OK. Probably doesn't fling 'em as far as a 98 Mauser would, but that makes it easier to find the brass.

Unfortunately, they were real easy to find. As in still in the receiver opening easy to find. The plunger spring on mine was weak. I could easily depress it with a finger tip. Probably easy to fix with a spring change but it shot too well to be of interest any longer so I churned it.

I think that it how I got mine, churned by a fellow in NC who felt that it was too accurate and sent it west. I never was really interested in shooting it until I loaned it out and found out that it would shoot MOA or better with $10 per box PP 90 grain HPs.

There's a 308 RAR in the classifieds now for under 300 shipped.
Buy it, scope and shoot it. If you don't like it sell it and buy the axis. Your not going to lose money and you get to find out for yourself without taking everyone else's perspective.
Point.
I absolutely love Steyr rifles and detest kimber products.
Owned, shot, loaded for and hunted with and Steyr suits me.
Others here would trade a kidney for a Montana.
As gunny used to say...FIOFYS.

IMO an accurate summation in as few words as possible.

So did savage ever stab the US gun owners in the back like Ruger? LOL

Just curious, but how have you been injured/damaged by anything that Ruger has done?

It's hard to stab anyone with a TURD!